Concert Hall Seating

Residents are being asked to give their input on new seating coming to Century II Concert Hall. From 10 a.m.-7 p.m. today through Tuesday, April 6, sample chairs will be on display in the connecting lobby between Century II and Expo Hall. Citizens are invited to sit in the chairs and vote for the one they like best. Century II is located at 225 W. Douglas.

The voting period was officially launched today at a morning press conference attended by Mayor Carl Brewer and City Council Members Lavonta Williams and Sue Schlapp. All three tested the chairs and cast their vote.

“Taking a seat today represents one more step forward on the journey to revitalize downtown,” Mayor Brewer said in his remarks. “We’re excited about recent successes downtown. Let’s maintain that momentum here at Century II as we pick out the new chairs.”

After the public voting period ends Tuesday, public comments will be tallied and given to a staff selection committee. The committee will utilize the input as it makes its final choice. The chairs will be evaluated on ergonomics and padding, comfort and durability. The committee’s decision is expected to be made by mid-April and then forwarded onto the City Council for approval.

The chairs currently in Concert Hall are the original ones that were installed when the facility was built in the 1970s. Concert Hall is a 2,200-seat theater that hosts numerous world-class performances, including last year’s highly successful three-week run of “WICKED.” Concert Hall is also home to the Wichita Symphony, Music Theatre of Wichita and Wichita Grand Opera. Last year, more than 195,000 people attend shows in Concert Hall.